Maternity pay/ leave for Boots

@Ris-Childcare Navigator Thank you for your comment. Although I know people have worse this was not the point of my question. For example my sisters company who was a direct competitor of my previous company paid 6 months full pay. So I know company's offer more than 6 weeks and some who offer none at all. Unfortunately due to being extremely ill with HG during my pregnanacy I wasn't able to actually attend work most days to save up any money prior to my maternity leave so unfortunately I am in a great deal of debt now just so I could keep a roof over my daughtes head. Thank you for your reply it was not at all nesscecary. I can only assume from your reply to my question you have been one of the unlucky ones who unfortunately do not work for a company who supports family life. I hope you find some happiness in your days rather than spending your days leaving some negative feedback on another mother's innocent question. Have a good day.

Erm if you are bringing skills and service to a organisation why shouldn’t you enquire about maternity pay and benefits? I don’t think she is being unappreciative at all, I know my value and I would also expect something appealing. My last job paid 6 months full pay hun, don’t let anyone tell u to be aiming for the bare minimum xx

@Fiza thank you! Yes my sisters company who is a direct competitor to my old employer and they paid 6 months. After a previous interview from another company the manager almost took a funny look at me when I asked about maternity. So I am wary to ask those questions in case I am not considered for the role. I know this is not allowed but you know it doesn't matter 😅 thank you for your comment. The way I look at it is I am trying desperately to care for my family and if the option is avaliable to me then why would I not take it!

I’m very confused by both your post and the first comment on here. If you worked at your old company for a long time then you will have been eligible for statutory maternity pay which is paid for 39 weeks. Whether a company pays above and beyond that is down to the company but I will say that most big chain companies do not seem to pay enhanced maternity pay unless at management level.

You are right, I only got statutory. I don't work for a company and therefore can't expect my employer to pay more than statutory. But it really does grate when women are unappreciative of the enhanced benefits they have recieved and talk about it in a negative light. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy for women to get enhanced benefits, I think it's great for so many reasons - but be appreciative of them, that's all. You should absolutely ask what benefits there are working at a company. I wouldnt ask specifically about maternity, but just the benefits in general.

@Lisa I have taken her post and reply to mean she got full pay for 6 weeks

@Ris-Childcare Navigator I don’t think you should be appreciative for a 6 week Maternity Pay!!! That is a joke and absolutely doesn’t make anyone privileged!!! Especially when the Statutory Pay is soooooo low in this country and makes it impossible for mothers to survive unless their partner is on a decent wage. Im not really sure why you’re trying to shame this lady and butting in when you’re not having anything nice to say nor you can’t answer her question 🤦🏻‍♀️ think you need to have a word with yourself!!!!

@Ris-Childcare Navigator statutory maternity pay is 90% for the first 6 weeks anyway so an extra 10% is hardly something we should be praising companies for.

@Ris-Childcare Navigator thank you. I know 6 weeks is better than than a lot of people get and I appreciate it but unfortunately general life doesn't. When I see other companies offering 6 months I just want the best for my family. Unfortunately my previous company could not offer me a part time contract so I have had to leave due to childcare constraints. I know a lot of people deal with these issues and I'm sure I could have it worse. It was just an innocent question. Thanks

@Lisa ah you are right. My apologies, I thought it was 2 weeks! My apologies, I do find this a bit of a sore point as I have seen a lot of people, my friends included not appreciating whatever enhanced pay they get, and then complaining that they have to return to work in order to not repay the enhanced pay. I totally agree OP that society is not set up to allow people to have families and not struggle.

@Lisa this is why I wanted to ask. My sister works for a huge global company not in a managerial role and was paid for 6 months. Although this wasn't always the case. It has only changed since covid. As I am going to be changing jobs and most likely career paths now I just think I may as well have a research and see what things benefit my family and future and see if any other mothers on here have the answer. (I had been in my previous job since I was 21, now I am 30 so didn't look into this things too much back then) Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it 🙂

If this were me I'd just ask for all the policies and wouldn't ask for the parental leave one in particular. They shouldn't have any problem sharing. It looks like Boots is decent though! https://employeebenefits.co.uk/boots-dfs-sainsburys-top-enhanced-parental-benefits/

All it says is 'enhanced' so that could mean loads of different things. Just ask! https://www.boots.jobs/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/UK-Benefits-v2.pdf

May I add, boots may offer Enhanced pay, as stated by Caroline above, but that may only be after a set amount of time, such as your probation period. My friend’s workplace policies stated that employees got enhanced pay, but this was only after 6 months on probation - so she hadn’t worked there long enough to get any more than statutory. Definitely enquire about parental policies, and you can use the ‘excuse’ of having children already if you don’t feel comfortable disclosing your desire to have more children :)

@Caroline thank you

@Rhi thank you very much. That's a great way to put it!